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Russ Bailey – Crappie Tactics

Russ Bailey is a highly respected host in the fishing world, known for his infectious enthusiasm as the host of BrushPile Fishing. With a deep passion for angling and a wealth of experience, Russ captivates viewers with captivating storytelling and valuable insights. He has traveled extensively, honing his skills and sharing his expertise through collaborations with industry-leading brands. Russ’s charismatic presence and genuine love for fishing make him an influential figure, inspiring anglers worldwide.

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Nate Boldman – Central Ohio Crappie Fishing

My love of chasing crappie began at 4 years of age when my beloved grandpa took me to fish in many Ohio (Kiser, Buckeye and Indian, among others) and Florida (Lake Okeechobee) lakes. 

That love has grown over the years to encompass my career, fishing tournaments, promoting the introduction of youngsters, their families, family-oriented organizations, and our nation’s honored veterans to the sport of crappie fishing. Another favorite activity of mine is attending fishing shows where I get to meet fellow crappie fanatics at my booth and during my crappie fishing seminars.

I began hand making injection-molded crappie baits at age 23, and founded Nasty Nate’s Baits, LLC in Urbana, Ohio. My baits are sold in many Ohio bait shops and directly through my Nasty Nate’s Baits Facebook page. I also produce the newest and hottest “Niku” brand of hand-injected baits for the Clam Outdoors Company. These activities have kept me very busy, but all work and no play…well, you know the rest! 

When I can, I also enjoy fishing team crappie tournaments along with the Nasty Nate’s Baits Pro-Staff. The Pro-staff teams always do a great job keeping us in the running. My teammate and I are two-time point champions in the Ohio Crappie series and Classic (2023-2024), and were also successful in other tournaments in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The “crappie fishing torch” is now being passed to my daughter and my teammate’s son, who already have sizeable crappie fishing pole and Nasty Nate’s Baits collections. In fact, together, our kids brought home a 2024 fishing tournament win at 3-years old!! 

I am happiest when introducing kids and families to our sport and the beauty of God’s creation through fishing and boating. They are, after all, the future stewards of our nation’s wildlife and natural resources. Do your part! Take a child Fishing!

Don’t be strangers, I am always ready to talk about crappie fishing!

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Mark Blauvelt – Big Water Navigation and Safety

Mark Blauvelt is a USCG licensed Captain with 22 years experience fishing just about every major watersheds in the Eastern US. 

Learn the  safe way to fish big/ Navigable waterways. Understanding barge traffic, locks and rules of the waterways with real life experiences. 

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Joe Owens – Central Ohio Catfish Tactics

My name is Joe Owens and I’ve been Catfishing since I was at least 10 years old. I started off just like a lot of others, on the bank with a zebco rod and a can of worms. I took a small hiatus from fishing while I was in the Marine Corps from 1999 to 2006, once I returned home I hit the ground running and got right back into Catfishing.

Roughly 9-10 years ago I learned about tournament fishing where I dove in head first jumping on anyone’s boat who would have me, the community being so accepting I was able to fish a lot and learn more then I could handle. I’ve since got my own boat and now fish tournaments all over the state and a few out of state tournaments. Over the years I have become fairly successful and win my fair share of tournaments on different bodies of water. I also run a fishing event on Sandusky bay along side of Disabled Veterans Organization where I organize as many boats as possible to take disabled vets fishing for a day, last year we managed 56 boats and vets! 

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Jim Horan – Where are Bruisin’ Channel Cats?  Does history rinse and repeat?

Jim Horan was born on the Mississippi River in a small town in Iowa and began exploring Catfishing 75 years ago. For over 50 years he has targeted and refined his approach to Channel Cat fishing in Hoover Reservoir, both from shore and boat. For the past 27 years he has created and publishes weekly “The Hoover Fishing Report” on the Internet at http://fishandtales.net/hoover.html.  He was creator and Co-Organizer of the “Hoover Fishing Seminar“.  In 2016 he was the recipient of the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s “Wildlife Award”.  His experience has placed him as a Pro Staff member of a national retailer and at many events and expositions as a Speaker.  He will talk about his experience of seasonal Catfishing in Hoover Reservoir with emphasis on patterns, seasonal techniques with data and tackle.

Jim receiving ODNR – Div. of Wildlife –“Wildlife Award” from Chief of Wildlife Ray Petering 2016

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Kayak Mike – Advanced Catfish Tactics and Tournament Fishing

  • Owner/Creator of the group Online Catfishing Tournaments.  Has hosted over 300 events.  Has competed in over 250 events.  Has been skunked in 1 event.
  • Over 25 tournament victories.
  • Owner of the YouTube Channel “Kayak Mike” with 2,000+ subs.  First YouTuber to feature bumping for catfish from a Kayak.
  • Has spoke at over 10 seminars in regards to Kayak Catfishing and Online Catfishing tournaments.

Kayak Mike and Ryan Bortz are leaders in Kayak Catfishing sport innovation.  The first ever fish caught bumping on video from a kayak was by Kayak Mike.  There is not a single Catfishing skill that these two anglers do not possess.  Between Ryan and Mike they have a combined total of 1 skunk at in person Kayak Fishing events.  There is not a time of year, part of the country, or body of water they cannot catch catfish in competition.

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Ryan Bortz – Advanced Catfish Tactics and Tournament Fishing

Ryan Bortz was born in South Eastern Kentucky, raised in Tennessee, and currently resides in Central Kentucky.  He’s a 37 year old who has been Kayak Catfishing for 5 years and is a leader kayak catfishing evolution.  He and Kayak Mike have broken barriers in the sport not witnessed before, opening opportunities and more water to all kayakers.

  • 2020
  • Point Champion Kayaks and Cats Regional Month Long Series: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky
  • 10+ Tournament Wins
  • 2021
  • 2nd Place Points Placer in OCT National Month Long Series
  • Point Champion Kayaks and Cats Regional Month Long Series: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky
  • 10+ Tournament Wins
  • 2022
  • Point Champion in first ever Ohio Kayak Catfishing Trail that traveled the state of Ohio
  • Point Champion Place Points Placer in OCT National Month Long Series
  • Point Champion Kayaks and Cats Regional Month Long Series: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky
  • 10+ Tournament Wins
  • 2023
  • National Champion in first ever National Kayak Catfishing Trail hosted by OCT

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Mike Defibaugh – Saugeye: Mixing old school fishing with Forward Facing Sonar

 I have been fishing at the Tour Level for past 8 yrs on the National Walleye Tour. In that time I have earned 18 checks in 32 events, I have 10 top 10 finished with 1 win.

Before moving to the professional level I have had success in central Ohio with several wins and multiple team of the year awards. Fishing has been a huge part of my life since I can remember and one of my favorite parts of tournament fishing is breaking down and locating fish on new water.

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Jeremy Pritt, ODNR – Evaluating Ohio’s fishing regulations: what we can and can’t do with length limits

Jeremy Pritt is a Fisheries Biologist with the ODNR-Division of Wildlife’s Inland Fisheries Research Unit. Jeremy is responsible for coordinating fisheries assessments and research on the Ohio River and works on research projects dealing with sportfish populations in Ohio’s reservoir. Before joining the Ohio Division of Wildlife Jeremy received a B.S. from The Ohio State University, an M.S. from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo and worked as a researcher with the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Jay Siefring – Alum and Hoover Bass

My wife and I moved to the shores of Hoover in 2021 which has blessed me with frequent and easy access to some of the best bass and crappie fishing in Central Ohio. I’ve fished Hoover for more than twenty years and spent more than thirty days on this amazing fishery in 2023. When I’m not fishing Hoover for fun or during a Thursday Night Tournament, I’m fishing Columbus Bassmaster Club tournaments at various Ohio lakes, spending time on Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair chasing smallmouth, or working my day job to fund my fishing habit.

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Jeremy Reese – Bass Tactics

My fishing roots come from my grandfather who was a successful walleye fisherman on Lake Erie. Growing up doing just that led to a deep love and passion for the Great Lakes fisheries. At age 12 my bass fishing chapter opened and continues to build. Although I have had the opportunity to chase bass all around the Eastern United States with success, my love and focus remains on hunting giant bronzebacks in the Great Lakes. Although you will find me on the water most of the season “up north”, my fishing mentors, friends, youth programs, and sponsoring partners mean the most to me and when not on the water you can find me with them or in my shop preparing for my next trip!

Social Media:

  • Facebook: Jeremy Reese
  • Instagram: jeremyreese_fishing

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